Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast: A rare and distinct entity

Neuroendocrine tumor of the breast is a rare tumor that is under diagnosed and treated. This is a retrospective study over three years of neuroendocrine breast carcinoma cases seen at the National Institute of Oncology in Morocco between May 2007 and 2010. We analyzed various characteristics: Patient demographics, histological diagnosis, disease stage, treatment effects and outcome, in 7 non-metastatic neuroendocrine breast carcinoma. One patient had relapsed five weeks after radical mastectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The site of relapse was local and pleural at the liver. All the remaining patients are in a good control. Of note, at median follow up of 28 months, the disease free survival for the entire group was 85%, all the patients are still alive. In conclusion, neuroendocrine carcinoma is a subtype of mammary carcinoma with several distinctive features. They appear more likely to be estrogen/progesterone receptor (positive) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (negative). To date, the optimal treatment for neuroendocrine carcinoma of breast is not clear. Radical mastectomy with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy and hormonal therapy appears as a viable option.   Key words: Neuroendocrine carcinoma, breast carcinoma, chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy.